AN ACT To designate U.S. Highway 19E in Carter County as the "Veterans Memorial Parkway".

WHEREAS, Since the birth of our great nation, hundreds of thousands of brave American men and women have served their country in the armed forces and many continue this legacy of service today, defending the most inviolate principles of human freedom and democracy; and

WHEREAS, This meritorious service continues the time-honored tradition of Tennessee volunteerism; and

WHEREAS, From Valley Forge to Bosnia, to the present war-torn lands of Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, our armed forces have unselfishly paid the price of freedom for their friends and families, and for all of us; and

WHEREAS, It is most appropriate that we should honor those courageous men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives to preserve the blessed freedoms we enjoy today and that our progeny will hopefully continue to cherish for generations to come; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the years, the intrepid and valiant members of the United States Armed Forces have continued to inspire our confidence, loyalty and support; and

WHEREAS, The Carter County Commission, the Elizabethton City Council, leaders of Carter County veterans' organizations, and various other citizens of the community feel that the name of a certain route should honor and recognize all those brave sons and daughters of Carter County who gave their lives so that we might enjoy the many bounties of democracy and the American way of life; now, therefore,

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, that segment of U.S. Highway 19E within Carter County, from the Sullivan County-Carter County boundary to the Tennessee-North Carolina state boundary, is hereby designated as the "Veterans Memorial Parkway" in honor of the many veterans from Carter County who have served their country from the American Revolution to Bosnia, in times of war and peace.

SECTION 2. The Department of Transportation is directed to erect suitable markers or to affix suitable signs designating U.S. Highway 19E in Carter County as the "Veterans Memorial Parkway".

SECTION 3. The erection of such signs shall be within the guidelines prescribed by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.